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He doesn’t think about when then-Auburn star David Ross – who went to Florida High – hit a walk-off, three-run homer in the East Regional Round of the 1997 NCAA tournament to put Auburn in the Regional Final with an 8-7 victory over Florida State.

That is, until someone asks him about it.

Speaking during his press conference before the Tallahassee Regional, Martin told reports exactly what he remembers from that moment.

Martin told a story about his son, Mike Martin Jr., listening to the game in California.

Apparently, the radio announcer at the time called a foul-tip from Ross a strike and said the game was over. Martin Jr. wasn’t aware Ross had hit the walk-off homer until his sister told him later that evening.

“I’ve forgotten the whole weekend,” Martin said.

Getting loud, and eliciting some more laughter, Martin added, “And then we had Hudson the next day! Next question!”

Thompson said Ross has given a few rain checks in regards to speaking to the team.

“He got busy on us,” Thompson said. “That Cubs run and then he started dancing… he’s given me three rain checks but he promises once he gets through all that stuff… he’s been great. Whenever I need to get in touch with David, I go to Tim. Those are some great guys, part of Auburn history.”

The long ball

It’s well-known Tennessee Tech can hit home runs. The team leads the nation with 97 homers so far this season.

“We were hitting quite a few home runs. The ball was flying a little bit. When you hear him say something like that, and you still don’t believe him, you’re like, ‘Are you sure that’s right?’ But we have to trust him. He went back to it a second time and said, ‘Yes, that did happen.’”

Childhood heroes

Speaking of Bragga, he mentioned growing up watching Florida State baseball and wanting to be a Seminole. Instead, Bragga played collegiate baseball at Kentucky and never got the chance to square off against the Seminoles.

This is Bragga’s first trip to Tallahassee.

Martin, 73, joking before his press conference, said he’d mention the coaches he grew up watching, but “they’re all dead.”

Fun in the stands

UCF head coach Greg Lovelady gave a special shout out to some of the rowdiest fans in Dick Howser Stadium – the Animals of Section B.

The Animals took a bit of time off from supporting FSU’s baseball team at home to lend their voices to JoAnne Graf Field at the Seminole Softball Complex while FSU’s softball team competed in the NCAA tournament.

“Section B is going to be crazy,” Lovelady said. “(My players are) going to remember that. Hopefully they won’t make an error, but if they do, they’ll get to hear (the Animals) sing to remind them where the circus is. It’ll be memorable.”

Trying not to jinx it

Martin, before leaving reporters on Thursday, said, “You all are responsible for the weather.”

So… what if the weather doesn’t hold up? There’s a 50 percent chance for rain. What else is there to do around the area?

Well, of course, there’s College Town. That whole area is full of bars and quick places to stop and hang out. I’ll give Brass Tap a shout out here because their Buffalo chicken dip is incredible and they have a large selection of good beer.

Not technically part of College Town, but still my favorite place to shoot pool, is The Warehouse. Yes, their table are a bit wonky, but who doesn’t love a good local dive bar?

For food, either Mellow Mushroom or Gaines Street Pies. The whole Railroad Square district is filled with new spots to try, but Gaines Street Pies is – always, even at 1 a.m. – delicious.

You probably shouldn’t need any another entertainment because you’ll be watching baseball, but it’s nice to have a backup plan.